Introduction to Microbiology

Question 1

List the categories of microorganisms which cause infection.

Answer 1

Bacteria, virus, fungi, parasites and prions.

Question 2

Name the three domains of life.

Answer 2

Eukarya, bacteria and archaea.

Question 3

What is microbiology?

Answer 3

Study of microorganisms.

Question 4

Describe the differences between eukaryotes and prokarytoes.

Answer 4

Prokaryotes are always unicellular, while eukaryotes are often multi-celled organisms.
Eukaryotes are bigger and more complex.
DNA in eukaryotes is stored in the nucleus while it is stored within nucleoid (found in cytoplasm) for prokaryotes.

Question 5

Name the two types of microbiology.

Answer 5

Applied or basic.

Question 6

Give an example of applied microbiology.

Answer 6

Medical microbiology.

Question 7

Give an example of basic microbiology.

Answer 7

Cellular microbiology.

Question 8

Parasites are more common in what type of environment?

Answer 8

Tropical environment.

Question 9

What are prions?

Answer 9

Misfolded proteins which can transmit their misfolded shape onto other proteins and cause disease.

Question 10

Are the following prokaryotes or eukaryotes?
1. Virus
2. Bacteria
3. Fungi
4. Parasites
5. Prions

Answer 10

1. Prokaryotic
2. Unclassified as contain nucleic caids
3. Eukaryotic
4. Usually eukaryotic but can be a vector for prokaryotes.
5. Unclassified

Question 11

Define bacterium.

Answer 11

“Chiefly round, spiral or rod shaped single celled prokaryotic organism that typically
lives in soil, water, organic matter or the bodies of plants and animals”.

Question 12

Define virus.

Answer 12

“A unique, acellular, metabolically inert organism that only replicate within living cells”.

Question 13

Define fungus.

Answer 13

Any of a kingdom of saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing eukaryotic typically
filamentous organisms including moulds, yeasts, mushrooms and yeasts”.

Question 14

Define parasite.

Answer 14

“An organism living in, with or on another organism”.

Question 15

Define prions.

Answer 15

“Protein of unknown function that resides on the surface of brain cells. An abnormal form of
prion protein that in mammals includes pathogenic forms that arise spontaneously (e.g. genetic
mutation) or transmission (e.g. via infected tissue) and upon accumulation in the brain cause a prion
disease e.g. BSE or CJD.”

Question 16

Organise the following from smallest to largest.

Bacteria, virus, fungi, parasite and prion.

Answer 16

Prions, viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.

Question 17

Name two factors which can help to diagnose a patient w an infection.

Answer 17

Clinical diagnosis.
Laboratory diagnosis.

Question 18

What does clinical diagnosis include?

Answer 18

Using questions and visuals to make your diagnosis e.g. chickenpox.

Question 19

What does laboratory diagnosis include?

Answer 19

Taking laboratory tests which may help to make diagnosis but MUST be in referral w clinical diagnosis,

Question 20

Name some things a microbiologist does.

Answer 20

-Advise on the diagnosis of infection.
-Review lab results
-Advise on management of infection.

Question 21

List the sterile body sites.

Answer 21

Brain, heart, liver and kidneys.

Question 22

List some non-sterile body sites.

Answer 22

Mouth, oesophagus, lungs, stomach and intestines.

Question 23

Name the specimen type required for the diagnosis of a UTI.

Answer 23

Mid stream specimen of urine.

Question 24

Name the specimen type required for the diagnosis of a lower respiritory tract infection.

Answer 24

Sample of sputum.

Question 25

Name the specimen type required for the diagnosis of tonsillitis/ pharyngitis.

Answer 25

Throat swab.

Question 26

Name the specimen type required for the diagnosis of wound infection of genital tract infection.

Answer 26

Swab.

Question 27

Name the specimen type required for the diagnosis of infectious diahorrea.

Answer 27

Faeces sample.

Question 28

Name the specimen type required for the diagnosis of sepsis.

Answer 28

Blood culture sample.

Question 29

Name the specimen type required for the diagnosis of meningitis.

Answer 29

CBF (cerebrospinal fluid).

Question 30

Name the specimen type required for the diagnosis of an abscess.

Answer 30

Aspirate of pus.

Question 31

Name the specimen type required for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis.

Answer 31

Sample of bone.

Question 32

What is not visble under a microspcoe?

Answer 32

Viruses (too small).

Question 33

What must you have in order to be able to interoperate results from microscopy?

Answer 33

-Knowledge of commensal flora (if applicable).
- Knowledge of common pathogens.

Question 34

Name two common infections in patients who spend a long period in hospital.

Answer 34

UTI, pneumonia.

Question 35

What does PCR detect?

Answer 35

A section of DNA/RNA from a virus, not the whole virus.

Question 36

What else can be used for the detection of viruses?

Answer 36

Antigen detection
Serology to determine immunity.
-Polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Question 37

Name one property of PCR which can be an advantage but also a disadvantage.

Answer 37

Extremely sensitive.

Question 38

Name three types of parasite.

Answer 38

Protozoa, helminths, anthropods.

Question 39

Name two types of protozoa.

Answer 39

Malaria, ameobae..

Question 40

Name two types of helminths.

Answer 40

Tapeworms and roundworms.

Question 41

Name two types of anthropods.

Answer 41

Ticks and lice.

Question 42

What is an effective and quick diagnostic technqiue for malaria?

Answer 42

Blood films.